US NEWS/ D.C. MAYOR SIGNS GAY MARRIAGE BILL

Washington D.C. took a major step today toward legalizing same-sex marriage. District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a measure recognizing such marriages as legal. The district council overwhelming passed the bill Tuesday, following a similar vote December 1. Fenty signed the measure at All Souls Church, a Unitarian Universalist house of worship in the northwest part of the district that is known for its diversity and for the welcoming of same-sex couples. The measure now goes to Congress for a 30-day review period, but it's considered unlikely that the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill would block the bill. By law, Congress has the right to review and overturn laws created by the District of Columbia's council. If the measure becomes law, the district will join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa in legalizing same-sex marriages. A law legalizing such marriages in New Hampshire takes effect January 1. Earlier this year, lawmakers in Maine approved a measure legalizing same-sex marriages, but voters in the state last month passed a referendum to overturn the new law. Last week, New York's state Senate defeated a bill that would legalize such marriages. A similar bill stalled last week in New Jersey's state senate. The Human Rights Campaign called passage of the legislation "a victory for all D.C. residents." The National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, said "the fight is not over." "Politicians on the city council are acting as if they have the right through legislation to deprive citizens of their core civil right to vote, but we will not let them get away with it," said Brian Brown, the organization's executive director. (SK COMMENT: Really, Brian Brown? You will not allow them to get away with it? Spoken like a true homophobe and bigot. We wait for the day that your organization is but a distant memory, like so many other hate groups).